Alumni

UMD researchers reconstructed the first-ever timeline of a rare form of methane, exploring whether it could be used to assess future climate progress. 

Merrill Birkner (B.S. ’00, biological sciences) applies her numerical and statistical insights to the complicated business of drug discovery and development.

UMD entomologists have discovered that a single underlying trait—metabolic breadth, or the range of nutrients a fungus can use—links its ability to kill insects, partner with plants and thrive in different ecological roles. Rather than trading one lifestyle for another, some fungi become better at all of them.

Peter Casasanto (B.S. ’02, biological sciences; B.A. ’02, criminology and criminal justice) taps into the power of AI to provide 24/7 support to patients and healthcare providers whenever and wherever they need it.

Jackie Townsend (B.S. ’94, physics) went on a ‘wild ride’ from UMD to project manager for NASA’s upcoming Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope mission.

Unlikely bird keeper Sara Hallager (B.S. ’89, zoology) took flight at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute, becoming curator of birds and a devotee to their protection.